Federal authorities announced on Mar. 25 the unsealing of an indictment charging Aristides Cabrera, also known as “Buddha,” with drug crimes resulting in the death of a 12-year-old child in the Bronx on June 28, 2022. Cabrera is also accused of using and possessing firearms in connection with his alleged drug trafficking activities. He was brought into federal custody from New York State custody, where he had been serving sentences for other firearm and drug offenses.
The case underscores concerns about the dangers posed by fentanyl distribution and its impact on communities, especially when children are exposed to these substances.
“As alleged, Aristides Cabrera was an armed drug dealer who pumped deadly drugs into the Bronx for years,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The havoc that his alleged drug trafficking wrought did not stop at his own doorstep; it resulted in the tragic death of a vulnerable 12-year-old boy in Cabrera’s own home. But even the boy’s death did not stop Cabrera from allegedly continuing to deal drugs, exposing others to the same life-threatening poison that claimed the life of an innocent child. Fentanyl kills. It kills children. If you deal fentanyl, you are dealing death. The women and men of the SDNY, the DEA, the NYPD and all our New York law enforcement partners will hold dealers of death accountable.”
DEA Special Agent Farhana Islam said: “Weapons, drugs, and violence are too often the hallmarks of drug trafficking organizations operating in our communities… Today’s indictment of Aristides Cabera underscores that deadly reality—linking narcotics distribution, firearms, and the devastating loss of a 12-year-old child to fentanyl poisoning… No family should have to endure the pain of losing a child to this poison and the DEA New York Enforcement Division remains vigilant and unwavering in our mission to target these individuals and ensure justice is delivered.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “Aristedes Cabrera showed a callous disregard for human life, allegedly selling fentanyl in a home where a 12-year-old boy was exposed to the drugs that killed him… This case is a devastating example of the danger fentanyl poses, especially when it is brought into a home where children are present… I thank the NYPD officers whose undercover work helped build this case and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their partnership.”
According to public filings cited by prosecutors, from November 2017 through January 2024 Cabrera distributed heroin, fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl throughout Bronx neighborhoods—including sales directly to undercover law enforcement officers—and made up to $10,000 per week at his peak operation period.
Following charges related to conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death as well as firearms violations—which carry mandatory minimum sentences ranging from five years up to life imprisonment—Cabrera awaits presentation before U.S Magistrate Jennifer E. Willis while presumption-of-innocence protections remain until proven guilty.
Mr. Clayton praised law enforcement agencies involved with investigating this matter including NYPD officers as well as federal partners at DEA alongside acknowledgment for assistance provided by Bronx District Attorney’s Office.
